Windsor Town Board shoots down pot club ban in surprise decision

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An emergency measure that would have temporarily banned private marijuana clubs within Windsor’s commercial properties failed Monday during a contentious Town Board meeting, potentially allowing cannabis clubs to take root in Windsor.

The seven-member town board was split 4-2 on the ordinance that would have put the brakes on pot clubs through 2013 while lawmakers and communities across the state grapple with how to handle the rapidly budding marijuana industry in wake of Amendment 64. Because it was an emergency ordinance, it required a five-person super majority to pass. Board member Myles Baker was absent for the vote.

“There’s no safety concern here by letting this play out,” said Jeremy Rose. “I think this is gaming the system by calling it an emergency and trying to push it through.”

Robert Bishop-Cotner joined him in voting against the moratorium.

The board called for the temporary ban in January when it recognized a permanent ban likely would fail. It was viewed as a compromise that would protect the welfare and safety of the community, which Rose called “preposterous.”

“I think that this community has made it very clear on their feelings on this issue,” argued Mayor Pro-Tem Kristie Melendez, citing previous votes and comments from across the region overwhelmingly against all things related to marijuana. “We do believe there is the potential for abuse, financial mismanagement, and regulatory complications.”

Thought it is now technically feasible for a club to set up within town — much like those popping up across Denver ­— the process would likely be anything but easy with numerous licenses and hurdles still required. The board could ultimately bring the matter back for another vote in a standard two-reading process, which would only require a four-person majority ­— though no new course of action was immediately discussed.